Plenty of supply and hesitant buyers are dragging down rice prices across Asia, while Bangladesh faces rising costs at home despite a healthy harvest.

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What’s going on here?

Rice prices have dropped to multi-year lows across most of Asia, but Bangladesh is heading in the opposite direction, with local prices rising even after a strong harvest.

What does this mean?

Thailand’s 5% broken rice has fallen for five weeks straight, now trading around $335 to $340 a tonne – the lowest point since October 2007. Indian rice prices are also hovering near decade lows, as buyers in Asia and Africa wait it out in hopes of snagging even better deals. Vietnam’s export prices just hit a two-month low, driven mainly by weaker demand after the Philippines extended its pause on new rice imports. But Bangladesh is telling a different story: despite a bumper crop, rice prices have climbed 15% over the past year. Experts say high farming costs, price manipulation by middlemen, and issues with storage and distribution are keeping prices elevated – leaving both producers and consumers squeezed.

Why should I care?

For markets: Price drops reflect both challenge and chance.

Sliding rice prices suggest plenty of supply and weaker demand from some big-name buyers in Asia and Africa. This spells tighter margins for exporters and tough times for farmers, but importers could benefit if they play their cards right. Expect prices to stay under pressure as cautious buyers wait for further declines while sellers hunt for new markets.

The bigger picture: Food systems show progress and persistent problems.

Cheaper rice across Asia highlights how food supply chains are slowly getting back in shape after recent upheavals. But Bangladesh’s rising prices show how local hurdles, like poor infrastructure and market manipulation, can leave people paying more even when global prices fall. That split raises fresh questions about whether food price relief is reaching those who need it most.

Published Date: October 16, 2025